Join Amy Dolan, a conservation biologist with the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, for a lecture on her ongoing community science project, the Mountain States Bumble Bee Atlas.
When: January 28th from 5:30 - 6:30 PM
Where: Virtual - a link will be sent to you prior to the event
What: Bumble bees are charismatic, easily recognizable pollinators thanks to their large size, loud buzz, and distinctive color patterns. They play an incredibly important role in sustaining the health of our environment by pollinating flowers in natural and urban areas, and by contributing to successful harvests on farms. The mountain regions of North America boast some of the highest diversity of bumble bees, making Colorado a fantastic place to learn about these fuzzy pollinators.
Unfortunately, like many other insects and pollinators, many bumble bee species have been experiencing population declines in past decades. The good news is that there are actions we can take right now to help them!
Come learn about the unique life cycle and adaptations of these amazing creatures. Hear more about conservation issues and what can be done to help, including how the Mountain States Bumble Bee Atlas is using citizen scientists to help conserve bumble bees, one photograph at a time. The Mountain States Bumble Bee Atlas is an ongoing community science project and everyone is invited to participate! Learn more at BumbleBeeAtlas.org.
This event is free and open to the public.
We are planning a West Slope Outdoors Volunteer training on May 28th for anyone interested in joining this project.
About the speaker
Amy Dolan is a conservation biologist with the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. She joined Xerces in June 2024 to coordinate the Mountain States Bumble Bee Atlas in Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming. Amy has a bachelor's degree in biology from Wisconsin Lutheran College and a master’s degree in entomology from Montana State University. Her masters project was “The Bumble Bees of Montana.” Much of Amy’s career has been spent in education—as a middle and high school science teacher, outdoor educator, and youth crew leader. Based in Grand Junction, she is excited to explore the diverse landscapes of the mountain states while connecting with new people and sharing her love of bumble bees.